Data Studies

The Research & Thought Leadership division of the CTBUH performs objective research at all scales and distributes findings in the form of data studies that highlight critical issues facing tall buildings and future cities.

Latest Study

16 April 2025 | Tall Buildings in Numbers

CTBUH 2025 Global Activity Series: Europe

Europe, though not a leader in tall buildings by height, is rapidly growing skyward through applications of sustainable vertical density. Over half of Europe's 1,217 buildings over 100 meters in height (100 m+) have been completed since 2010, and the list of 183 European cities building to that height continues to grow exponentially. This interacti...

All Studies

5 February 2018 | CTBUH Journal, 2018 Issue I

Interactive Study on The Global Tall Building Picture: Impact of 2017

In 2017, 144 buildings of 200 meters’ height or greater were completed. This is the fourth record-breaking year in a row, and it brings the total number of 200-meter-plus buildings...

30 October 2017 | CTBUH Journal, 2017 Issue IV

Australia: Rising Up Down Under

Australia is one of the world’s least densely-populated countries, and yet it has one of the highest proportions of urban dwellers, a figure that is increasing. A boom in tall buil...

8 August 2017 | CTBUH Journal, 2017 Issue III

Vertical Transportation: Ascent & Acceleration

As part of a recent collaboration with the Guinness Book of World Records, CTBUH certified that Shanghai Tower has the fastest elevator and the longest elevator run of all commerci...

20 April 2017 | CTBUH Journal, 2017 Issue II

Tall Timber: A Global Audit

In the past few years, the tall building industry has become increasingly interested in the use of timber as a major structural element in skyscrapers. This has resulted in a now-w...

10 January 2017 | CTBUH Journal, 2017 Issue I

Interactive Study on Year in Review: Tall Trends of 2016

CTBUH has determined that 128 buildings of 200 meters’ height or greater were completed around the world in 2016 – setting a new record for annual tall building completions and mar...

16 October 2016 | CTBUH Journal, 2016 Issue IV

Tall Buildings and Megacities

In this study, CTBUH undertook an examination of the populations, areas, densities, and several measures of skyscraper activity in the world’s 45 “megacities” – defined as urban ag...